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What is the molecular geometry of SCl₂?

A bent
B linear
C tetrahedral
D trigonal pyramidal
E not enough information

User Greggreg
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The molecular geometry of SCl₂ is bent or V-shaped due to the presence of one lone pair of electrons on the sulfur atom, corresponding to answer option A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecular geometry of SCl₂ can be described as bent or V-shaped. This is because it has two bonded pairs of electrons (from the two chlorine atoms) and one lone pair of electrons on the sulfur atom. Due to the presence of this lone pair, there is a deviation from the ideal trigonal planar arrangement, resulting in a bent shape.

This situation can be visualized as a trigonal planar arrangement with one vertex missing, where the lone pair occupies the place of the missing vertex. Consequently, the geometry is not linear (like in XeF₂), not tetrahedral, and not trigonal pyramidal. Instead, the molecular geometry of SCl₂ is most accurately designated as bent, which is answer option A.

User Foobarometer
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